Clutch mechanism



Dec. 3, 1946. M. PEDERSEN CLUTCH MECHANISM Filed June `4, '1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTQR. Moen/5 P505-@55N ATTORNEY u Dec. 3, 1946. M. PEDEJRSEN i 2,412,006

CLUTCH M'GHANI'SII Filed June 4, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTon Moen/s PEpERsEA'/ ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 3, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLUTCH MECHANISM Morris Pedersen, San Francisco, Calif.

Application June 4, 1945, Serial No. 597,454

(Ci. 19a-3.2)

9 Claims. c

This invention relates to clutch mechanisms.

The inventionis concerned with an improved clutch construction in which a positive, frictionltype clutch is included in conjunction with a, clutch of the fluid type, the friction-type clutch being utilized to`provide a positive driving connection between the driving and driven clutch elements, this clutch being released when the driven element has attained a speed whereat the fluid clutch is effective .to provide the driving connection. The huid-typev clutch, in certain machine applications, does not provide a connection which, upon starting up of a, machine is sufficiently positive. By producing a friction-type clutch, an initially positive connection -can be assured.

. Once the machine has started and the driven element is being rotated at a sufficient rate, the fluid drive connection provided by a clutch of this type can be utilized with its obvious advantages.

It is in general the ybroad objectof the present invention to provide an improved friction-fluid drive clutch mechanism.

Another object of the presen-t invention is t provide a novel clutch structure.

The invention includes other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will appear hereinafter wherein the presen-t preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed. Referring to the drawings accompanying and forming a part hereof,

yFigure 1 is a side elevation par-tly in section.

Figures 2 through 5 are respectively sections taken along the lines 2-2, 3-3. 4-4 and 9-9 in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the driven element is shown as provided by a shaft II. 'This is suitably supported by a sleeve I2 in which is mounted bearing I3 .on shaft II, .the bearing fitting against a shoulder I4 on the shaft. The sleeve is suitably supported as from the unit of which shaft II is an element. The bearing I3 is re- .tained in position in sleeve I2 by an annular sleeve I9 and a bearing retainer I1. Oil seals I9 are provided on each side of bearing I3. A tubular member I9 is recessed as at 2| -to receive a corresponding projection on sleeve I2, and several studs 23 extend through a ange 24 on sleeve I2 to retain tubular member I9 in position. At its other end, tubular member I9 is supported on .the shaft by a sleeve bearing 29. Adjacent each end of tubular member I9 ball bearings 21 and 29 are positioned'with spacer 29 interposed between them. The bearings are engaged vwith a tubular extension 32 provided on a first clutch member 3I. A V-belt pulley sheave 33 is posi-5 2 tioned on the tubular extension 32 and is secured to the extension by a key 34 retained in place by a stud 35. The first clutch member 3| is formed with a continuous annular channel 39, a plurality of radially extending veins 31 being providedin the channel to interrupt its continuity and provide a series of pockets (Figure 4).

Bearing 29 is retained in place on the tubular extension 32 by a threaded collar 4I screwed onto the 'end of tubular member I9. An oil seal 42 is provided between the threaded collar 4I and a flanged keeper member 43 secured to the first clutch member by a plurality of screws 44.

Secured to annular face 49 on the first clutch member is a first friction clutch element 41, indicated in the drawings as a cork facing. Also se-- cured to the first clutch member 3I is a second clutch member ISI, lthe two being secured together by cap screws 92. The second clutch member SI includes a continuous annular channel 93 like the channel 39 in the rst clutch member 3| except that it is free of radial vanes.

Mounted for a limited sliding movement on an end of shaft II and secured to this shaft by keys 9| is a third clutch element 92. The keys 9i are retained in place by a locknut 93. The third clutch member is made up of two separate members indicated by numerals 99 and 91, secured together by a plurality of screws 99. Member 91 is mounted slidably but non-rotatably upon the end of shaft I I while member 99 is mounted upon member 91 and extends from lthis to rotate in the annular channel provided in member 53. Mem-` ber 99 includes a plurality of radial vanes 99, generally corresponding in number to those in .the first clutch member (Figure 5) to provide a plurality of pockets corresponding to those in the first clutch member 3|. Mounted upon member 99 and cooperatively positioned with respect to the first frictiomclutch member 41 is a second friction clutch member 1I, generally comprising an annular metallic disc secured to'member99.

Means are provided for positively engaging the two friction members 41 and 1I and for moving these apart when the first clutch member 3l has attained a desired speed. To engage the friction clutch membersl an end .thrust bearing 12 is ments positively into engagement. 'I'he other end of the spring is engaged with aspring retainer 19 supported by a bearing 9i on the end of a stud l2 which extends through plate 68. The position of the stud can be altered -to vary the tension -in spring 18.and so adjust the degree of frictional engagement between ,the two friction clutch members. e

.To 'provide for release of the friction clutch when the driving element attains a desired speed, a governor release mechanism is provided. This comprises dogs 9| mounted upon pins 92 carried upon plates 93 positioned within the tubular extension 94 by screws 96, The dogs bear upon one operation such as .printing has been performed on some or all of the continuous length,

I claim: 1. A clutch comprising a shaft to be driven, first'fluid clutch member mounted on said shaft for driving, a second fluid clutch member sup ported on said first member, said first and second fluid clutch members defining an annular fluid chamber, a third fluid clutch member slidably Weights 98 are then positioned and secured by screws 99. Plugs lill and plate 56 are then se-v Stud 82 is adjusted to provide the desired tension cured to complete enclosure -of the structure.

on the friction clutch and resistance to sliding of the third clutch element 62 on shaft while guided by keys 6|.

.In operation, with the cavity between the first clutch member 3| and the second clutch member.

53 filled with a suitable fluid, as a lubricating oil or other suitable fluid, the rstand second friction clutch elements will be engaged under the force exerted by spring 18; If sheave 33 be rotated, the first and second friction clutch elements will be likewise turned because of the friction drive connection provided Ibetween the two friction clutch elements. When vthe driving portion has attained a desired speed, depending upon the tension of spring 18 and the weights 98 on dogs 9|, the vdogs will move outwardly under the centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the driven portion and will so move the second friction element away from the flrst friction element adistance sufficient to free them from a driving connection. However, by this time, the unit will be rotating and the fluid provided between the first and second clutch elements, 3| and 53, will sufllce to provide the driving connection.

From the foregoing, I believe it obvious that I have provided a new'and novel structure in which a positive friction connection4 is provided between a driving and a driven element' in combination with a fluid clutch drive which automatically becomes operable upon the driven element attaining a desired speed. Shock loads and sudden power requirements are amply cared for by the driving connection provided by ,the fluid clutch,

so that the use of the friction clutch is entirely confined to the starting up of the mechanism and normal running and operating wear and tear upon it either eliminated or held to a minimum.

The fluid clutch provides the normal driving connection between the prime 'mover and a machine power input shaft. l, As such it enables a substantially constant torque to be maintained on the input shaft. This is of advantage, for example, as when the shaft is employed to draw a paper sheet through machine, a, constant tension is maintained on the sheet, 'I'he device is, therefore, of particular utilityin re-spooling continuous lengths of cloth, paper, wire and like materials or in winding these on a .spool after an secured to said shaft and rotatable between said first and second fluid clutch members, friction clutch elements mounted on the annular portions of said first and third lfluid clutch members, means urging said third clutch member to engage the friction 'clutch element thereon with the fric tion clutch element on said first clutch member, and means effective upon rotation of said first clutch member at a predetermined speed for separating said third clutch member from said first clutch member to dsengage said friction clutch elements.

2. A clutch comprising a. shaft to be driven, a flrst fluid' clutch member mounted on said shaft for driving, a second -fiuid clutch, member 'supported on said first membexgsaid first and second fluid clutch members defining an annular fluid chamber, about the outer periphery thereof and about an inner annular portion on eachof said members, each of said vannular portions having a fiat face thereon, a 'third fluid clutch member slidably secured to said shaft and rotatable between said first and second fluid clutch members,

y 'friction clutch elements mounted on the 'an/nular portions of `,said flrst and third fluid clutch,

members, means urging said third clutch member to engage the frictionclutch element thereon with the friction clutch element on said first clutch member, and means effective upon rotation' of said first clutch member at a predetermined speed for separating said third clutch member from said first clutch memberto disengage said fric'- tion clutch elements.

^ 3. A- clutch comprising a shaft to be driven, a first fluid clutch member mounted on said shaft for driving, a second fluid clutch member supported on said first member, said'flrst andv second uid clutch members defining an annular fluid chamber, a third uid clutch member slidably secured to said shaft and rotatable between v said first and second uid clutch members, fric-'- tion clutch elements mounted on the annular portions of said flrst and third fluid clutch members, a springy biasing said third clutch member to engage the friction clutch element thereon with the friction clutch element on -the flrst member, a. bell crank pivotally mounted on said second member for rotation therewith, said crank having one armthereof movable to oppose the bias of -said spring, and a weight on kthe other arm of said bell crank movable-upon rotation of said flrst member at a predetermined speed to move said crank in a direction to separate said gally controlled and operated "means rotatable with said driving clutchmember and effective upon initial rotation ofi said driving clutch mem-y ber to maintain said friction clutchelements engaged and to disengage said clutch elements upon said driving clutch member' attaining a predetermined speed.

5. A clutch comprising a shaft to be driven, a fluid clutch mounted on said shaft and including a driving clutch member rotatable on said shaft and a driven clutch member fixed on said shaft to drive the shaft, friction clutch elements mounted on said clutch members, a spring urging said elements linto clutching engagement, and centrifugally operated means rotatable with said driving clutch member for overcoming said spring urge and for disengaging said clutch elements upon said driving member attaining a predetermined speed.

6. A clutch comprising a' shaft, a sleeve, a bearing supporting said shaft in said sleeve with the end of theA shaft projecting beyond said sleeve, a first fiuid clutch member, a bearing sup; porting said first clutch member on said sleeve coaxially with respect to said shaft, power input means secured to said first clutch -member for rotating said first clutch member. a second fiuid clutch member supported on said first member, said first and second fiuid clutch members defining an annular fiuid chamber, a third fiuid clutch member slidably secured to the projecting end of said shaft and rotatable between said first and second fiuid clutch members, friction clutch elements mounted on portions of said first and third fiuid clutch members, means slidably urging said third clutch member to engage the friction clutch element thereon with the friction clutch element on said first clutch member, and means effective upon rotation of said first clutch member at a predetermined speed for separating said first clutch member from said third clutchmember to disengage said` friction clutch elements.

7. A clutch comprising a shaft, 'a sleeve, a

bearing supporting said shaft in said sleeve withv the end of the shaft projecting beyond said said second clutch member enective upon rota' tion of said first clutch member at a predetermined speed to move said first clutch member away from said third clutch member to disenfgage said friction clutch elements.

8. A clutch comprising a shaft, a sleeve, a

Ibearing supporting said shaft in said sleeve with the end of the shaft projecting beyond said sleeve,v a first fluid clutch member, a bearing supporting said first clutch member on said sleeve coaxially with respect to said shaft, power 4input means secured to said first clutch member for rotating said first clutch member, a second fluid clutch member supported on said first member, said first and second fiuid clutch members defining an annular fiuid chamber about the outer peripheral portion thereof, a third fiuid clutch member slidably secured to said shaft and rotatable between said first and second fiuid clutch members, friction clutch elements mounted on the central portions of said first and third fiuid clutch members, means urging said third clutch member to engage the friction clutch element thereon with the friction clutch'element on said first clutch member, and' centrifugally operated means carried by said second clutch member and effective upon rotasleeve, a first fluidclutch member, a bearingsupporting said first clutch member on said sleeve coaxially with respect to said shaft, power input means secured to said first clutch member for rotating said first clutch member, a second fiuid clutch member supported onv said first member, said first and second fiuid clutch members dening an annular fiuid chamber, about the outer movable .upon rotation of said first member at tion of said first clutch member at a predetermined speed for separating said third clutch member from said first clutch member to disengage said friction clutch elements.

9. A clutch comprising a shaft, a sleeve, a bearing supporting said shaft in said sleeve with the end of the shaft projecting beyond said sleeve, a first fiuid clutch member, a. bearing supporting said first clutch member on said sleeve coaxially with respect to said shaft, power input means secured to said first clutch member for rotating said first clutch member, a second fiuid clutch member supported on said first member, said first and second fluid clutch members defining anannular fiuid chamber about the outer peripheral portion thereof, a third/ fluid clutch member slidably secured to said shaft and rotatable between said first and second fluid clutch members, friction clutch elements mounted on the central portions of said first and third clutch members, a spring biasing said third clutch member to engage the friction clutch element thereon with the friction clutch element on the first member, a bell crank pivotaliy mounted on said second member for rotation therewith, said crank having one arm thereof movable to oppose the bias of -said spring, and a weight on the other arm of said bell crank a predetermined speed tol move said crank in a direction to separate said friction clutch members.

MORRIS Paibiiznsiin. 

